Guests from this year's World of Wonder holiday party had much to say about gifts for drag queens. But they also offered goals that the LGBT community should set for itself in the coming year.
From fighting complacency to focusing on transgender rights to living life to its fullest, see what stars like Looking's Daniel Franzese, DJ Lady Bunny, viral star Brendan Jordan, RuPaul's Drag Race's Alyssa Edwards, and more had to say.
Lacey Noel, YouTube star
To be as gay as gay can be!
Landon Cider (right)
Patience. Patience for the people that don't have the circumstances or opportunities to just instantly accept us. Sometimes, it takes a little time.
Lady Bunny
Let's stop the word policing and actually respect each other, and stop getting bogged down with individual words. I feel like my parents grew up telling me not to say "shit" and "dick," and I didn't listen to them. Drag queens tend to be independent, especially when they make a living doing comedy. So words are their tools. I think it's crazy to take words away from comedians. I love twisted comedy, and I hope politically incorrect comedy is not buried with Joan Rivers.
For example, the "T" word. Honey, the same evil bastard that is gonna bash someone transsexual in a dark alley is gonna bash me in drag or someone who is obviously gay. They're the enemy, not the people that might use a word as a greeting to people that they know it doesn't offend. I think that we're quarreling over minutiae like that, rather than things that would get us ahead, like what companies we are all patronizing daily, which give money to defeat gay, sorry, GLBT rights. We're all doing that every day with cell phone companies, clothing companies, and restaurants... Sometimes, our large gay organizations are too busy getting money from them to say who is actually legislating against us. Always look for the money.
Alyssa Edwards
I think it's fabulous we're in a time where we can watch TV and we can see so many people who have set the standard. The resolution would be equality. Acceptance. Justice for all. I'm a teacher--[a world] where we don't teach our children that being homosexual is different. It's time for us to use our platform [and] use our voice.
Randy Barbato, Executive Producer of RuPaul's Drag Race
Changing it's name. Losing it's name. Not labeling itself.
Tempest DuJour, RuPaul's Drag Race season 7 cast member
By day, I am a professor. I see my young kids becoming very complacent with the way things are politically, because, oh, we can get married, oh, we are accepted. But the fight is still on, and complacency is our enemy in trans rights and adoption rights and marriage rights in all states. There's still a lot to do.
Brendan Jordan
Be fierce. The LGBT community is so strong and loving, and I'm very proud of that.
Kelly Mantle
They need to start being nicer online. I mean--c'mon!
Daniel Franzese - Looking
The gay movement has come so far. We really need to pay attention to the trans movement, and support, gift a lift up for full acceptance as well. I think that's the next movement, for us all to be really conscious of that, and remember that, now that everybody is OK and has two cars and a three-bedroom house and a baby, give a lift up to the next part of our community that really needs our attention.
My character works at a homeless shelter for gay and trans teens, so there's a lot of trans characters [on Looking].
Bobby Trendy
Live the best life you've ever had.
Sham Abrihim, Artist
Look within. Be self-reflective. We have things we need to work on in our community... It's time to strengthen our community from within.
Yara Sofia
To ask not just for tolerance, I would ask for including. I want someday that, when you go to a bar, it's just a bar. Not a gay bar. Not a straight bar. So we enjoy everybody.
